Ward Circle

Statue of Artemas Ward in Ward Circle

Inscription on base of Ward Statue

Ward Circle is a traffic circle at the intersection of Nebraska and Massachusetts Avenues in Northwest, Washington, DC. The land on three sides of Ward Circle is owned by American University. The circle contains a statue of Maj. Gen. Artemas Ward.

Evidently, the great-grandson of Artemas Ward gave over a million dollars to Harvard University on the condition that they erect a statue in honor of Ward. Ward's statue is standing, rather than mounted on a horse, because Harvard’s initial offer in 1927 to spend $50,000 on the statue was inadequate to provide the general with a steed.

The statue was completed in 1938 without direct pedestrian access to the circle. The base of the statue bears this inscription:

ARTEMAS WARD, 1727-1800, SON OF MASSACHUSETTS, GRADUATE OF HARVARD COLLEGE, JUDGE AND LEGISLATOR, DELEGATE 1780-1781 TO THE CONTINENTAL CONGRESS, SOLDIER OF THREE WARS, FIRST COMMANDER OF THE PATRIOT FORCES

See also

• List of Circles in Washington, D.C.

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